--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Historically, I guess that's how science…" description: "\"Historically, I guess that's how science fiction works: you start by using aliens to think the unthinkable — and then, eventually, another writer, havi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/613/samuel-r-delany-2591_aliens_historically-i-guess-that-s-how-science_1550169.png" --- # Historically, I guess that's how science fiction works… ![“Historically, I guess that's how science fiction works: you start by using aliens to think the unthinkable — and then, eventually, another writer, having grown a little more comfortable with the earlier notion, brings it into the human.” quote by Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/613/samuel-r-delany-2591_aliens_historically-i-guess-that-s-how-science_1550169.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/613/samuel-r-delany-2591_aliens_historically-i-guess-that-s-how-science_1550169.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/613/samuel-r-delany-2591_aliens_historically-i-guess-that-s-how-science_1550169.png) > “Historically, I guess that's how science fiction works: you start by using aliens to think the unthinkable — and then, eventually, another writer, having grown a little more comfortable with the earlier notion, brings it into the human.” [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science fiction begins with alien concepts that challenge norms, and as writers grow comfortable, they bring those ideas into human contexts. **In simple terms:** Aliens help explore new ideas, later applied to humanity. Key Takeaway Use imagination to expand human perspectives. Themes imagination science fiction progress humanity Mood inquisitive optimistic Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - writing - storytelling - future studies Key Concepts cultural critique creative process genre evolution Questions to Reflect On - How can strange ideas become relatable? - What risks arise when pushing boundaries? A Different Perspective Ideas may alienate readers if not grounded. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Of course I believe in aliens. 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If we do have contact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/i-believe-any-malevolent-supercivilisation-would-have-rapidly-self/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [I believe in aliens. I think it would be way too selfish of us as mankind to believe we are the only lifeforms in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/i-believe-in-aliens-i-think-it-would-be-way-too-selfish-of-us-as/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [The pulp hero, though he may be a renegade, is a guy who doesn't feel. Anything. Ever. And for the adolescent male - pummeled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/the-pulp-hero-though-he-may-be-a-renegade-is-a-guy-who-doesn-t-feel/) [Samuel R. 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